The Best Cookbooks To Give for the Holidays
'Tis the season to be baking and cooking so maybe it’s time to crack open that cookbook you’ve been neglecting all year. If you’re looking for culinary inspiration or the perfect gift for a home chef in your life, Cap Times food editor Lindsay Christians is here with a bounty of cookbook recommendations, local and beyond. Christians joins host Bianca Martin and executive producer Molly Stentz to round up the best cookbooks for the season.
👩🏾🍳 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.
Cookbooks mentioned in the episode:
Local favorites
— “Dane County Farmers Market Cookbook” by Terese Allen
— “Wisconsin Field to Fork” by Lori Fredrich
— “Osteria Papavero Cookbook” by Francesco Mangano and Lindsay Christians
A Midwestern perspective
— “Company” by Amy Thielen
— “Pulp” by Abra Berens
— “Home is Where the Eggs Are" by Molly Yeh
“My new year’s resolution is to cook more”
— “Small Victories” by Julia Turshen
— “The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook” by Deb Perelman
— “Dinner” by Melissa Clark
— “Milk Street Tuesday Nights” by Christopher Kimball
— “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” by Ina Garten
Let’s bake!
— “Sweet Enough” by Alison Roman
— “Dessert Person” by Claire Saffitz
— “Baking with Dorie” by Dorie Greenspan
Wanna talk vegetarian?
— “Super Natural” by Heidi Swanson
— “East” by Meera Sodha
— “Fast Fresh & Green” by Susie Middleton
— “Love Soup” by Anna Thomas
The ones Lindsay is MOST excited about right now
— “Start Here” by Sohla El-Waylly
— “Signature Cocktails” by Amanda Schuster
— “More is More” by Molly Baz
— “Cured” by Paula Forbes and Steve McHugh
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
FTC Investigates Epic, Willy St. Businesses Struggle, and Madison Reddit Solves a Mystery
Are you struggling to make a dinner reservation at a restaurant this week? You’re probably experiencing the influx of people who are in M...

Indigenous Art Across Madison, Wonder Bar’s Future, and Your Hot Takes
The new Teejop Community Art Project is a citywide series of temporary art installations by seven Indigenous artists honoring Madison’s I...

Primary Results Explained, Ruiz Laid to Rest, and Preview of Men’s Shelter
Today, the family of Corey Ruiz will hold a funeral at the Fountain of Life Church, where Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy. City...

Pour One Out for Madison’s Best Bygone Bars and Restaurants
Is there a meal in Madison you used to get all the time, but that now you can only dream of because the restaurant closed? Maybe it’s a b...

Winners and Losers of the August 2026 Primary
Yesterday, voters in Wisconsin decided on primaries across the state. On today’s show, executive producer Hayley Sperling and newsletter...

New Info on Ruiz Shooting, Blood Donation Shortage, and Madison Black Restaurant Week
For the second time in the organization’s history, the American Red Cross has declared an emergency after the nation's blood supply dropp...

What You Need To Know for Tomorrow’s Primary Election
Are you ready to vote in tomorrow’s primary? Host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos have you covered with the logistics, compet...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Naked Neighbors, Unwelcome Pets, and Other City Life Dilemmas — Presented By City Cast Madison
As much as you love Madison, city living inherently means sharing space and resources with your neighbors, and y’all certainly have compl...

How the Climate Is Changing Wisconsin Fish Fry
Our beloved Friday fish fry tradition isn’t disappearing, but thanks to climate change, it is changing. In this month’s cover story for M...

Ruiz Memorial May Be Gone, But the Protest Isn't Over
The memorial encampment at the intersection of Willy Street and Baldwin was forcibly removed early Tuesday morning by police and city wor...


